R.I.P. Chris Gauthier: ‘Once Upon A Time’ Star Dead At 48 After Recent Illness

Chris Gauthier, an actor best known for starring in Once Upon a Time and Smallville, among other television roles, died on Feb. 23. He was 48.

Gauthier’s management team at TriStar Appearances/Event Horizon Talent confirmed his passing in a statement shared with Deadline.

“We can confirm that our dear friend and client, Chris Gauthier, passed away on Friday morning, February 23, at the age of 48,” his management said. “His loss is felt not just by his fans but by those of us who were lucky enough to know him more personally. On behalf of his family, we do ask for privacy during this time so that they are able to grieve properly.”

His manager told TVLine that he “passed suddenly and unexpectedly following a short illness.”

Gauthier led a decades-long career in television and film since he first got his start in 2000 on a single episode appearance of Cold Squad.

He later appeared in Agent Cody Banks, Freddy vs. Jason, and Watchmen. He also appeared in dozens of television shows throughout his career including The L Word, Supernatural, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Joe Pickett.

The actor has been remembered by a number of his colleagues from Once Upon A Time and Eureka, including his co-star Colin O’Donoghue.

“Rest in Peace Chris! Heartbroken!” O’Donoghue, who played Captain Hook to Gauthier’s William Smee character, wrote in a Sunday (Feb. 25) Instagram post. “My love and thoughts go out to [wife] Erin and the boys! You will be missed brother! You were the real captain!!”

Jordan Danger also remembered the actor with a post on X that showed photos of the two behind the scenes of Eureka.

“Our Eureka family lost one of our own this week. Chris Gauthier was the kindest, coolest guy you ever met. He was a true talent, a real actor,” she wrote. “I never met one person who had a remotely bad thing to say about Chris. He was just the realest and sweetest there was.”

Gauthier is survived by his wife, Erin, and two sons.